Technically speaking, there is a difference between an aluminum tube and an aluminum pipe. The focus is on the size of the tube. Tubes are used below the nominal diameter of 15mm, and pipes are used above this. Pipes are used to transport fluids such as water, oil, gas, etc. Tubes are used to conduct heat such as wires, cables, etc. Round ones may be PIPE. But non-round ones must be TUBE.
Aluminum pipe vs tube
Aluminum pipe vs tube
-
1. Diameter: When measuring actual size, tube and pipe are measured in different ways. Tube measurements emphasize accurate Outside Diameter and wall thickness. Pipe is measured using the nominal diameter, the most important being the capacity or the inside dimension (Inside Diameter). Pipes range in size from half an inch to a few feet and are more widely used. Tubes are usually used when smaller diameters are required. 10-inch pipes are common, but 10-inch tubes are hard to find.
-
2. Differences in wall thickness: The thinner tube thickness is usually expressed in Gauge, while the thicker pipe is expressed in fractions of an inch or a millimeter. The normal range of tubes is 20 gauge, which is 0.035 inches to 2 inches thick. The thickness of the pipe is expressed as the standard thickness. The most common gauge thicknesses are SCH20, SCH40 and SCH80, with SCH80 being heavier.
-
3. Structure: The structure of the Tube does not have to be cylindrical, it can also be square or rectangular. Tube is usually a weld. Pipes, on the other hand, are always cylindrical and rigid. The shape of the pipe cannot be easily changed without the help of special tools. Pipes are usually seamless and highly pressure resistant to avoid leakage of liquids or gases.
-
4. Endurance: The tolerance standard of the pipe is looser than that of the tube. However, because the pipe has to transport liquid or gas, the pipe has very strict requirements in terms of pressure, flatness and roundness.
-
5. Manufacturing process: Pipe and tube materials and manufacturing techniques are different. Tube has higher level processes, tests and inspections. Tube also has a longer lead time and its output is much lower than that of pipe. Compared to tubes, pipes are easier to manufacture and can often be mass-produced.
-
6. Cost: Manufacturing Tube requires more labor, energy and materials. Therefore, in the case of the same material, the production cost of the tube is usually higher than that of the pipe. Pipe is easier to manufacture and pipes are always produced in large quantities. This reduces the cost of pipes.
Application of aluminum tube & pipe
Aluminum tube & pipe are widely used in all walks of life, such as: automobiles, ships, aerospace, aviation, electrical appliances, agriculture, electromechanical, household appliances, etc.
